#368 28 September - 4 October 2007 16 pages Rs 30

LEAVING HOME: Weekly Internet Poll # 368 Madhesi civilians Q. How do you rate the Maoist decision like these in Birpur to leave the government? were still fleeing Total votes: 4,017 Kapilbastu for earlier this week because of fears of being attacked by pahadis backed by Maoists. See p4 Weekly Internet Poll # 369. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. What is your opinion on monarchy?

MADHU PANTHI Deal or deadlock? Far from the misery of thousands of Kapilbastu refugees, leaders in are trying to hammer out a compromise for elections

here is nothing like commitment of all parties to be Thursday afternoon but failed to the mainstream. elections and Dasain ratified by the elected constituent agree on 's compromise on The seven parties also agreed T holidays to focus people's assembly after November. both contentious issues: a on Thursday to launch joint minds, which is probably what But by afternoon, it was clear parliamentary resolution to be election-related meetings over forced the NC to finally unite on Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal ratified later and an electoral Dasain in the districts to ensure Tuesday. This in turn has Dahal couldn't convince his system that would guarantee the maximum participation of the prompted the other parties to try hardline comrades Ram Bahadur Maoists more seats. public in polls. This agreement is to clear roadblocks in the runup Thapa and Mohan Baidya to The election issue is critical significant considering continued to elections. accept this. The two are insisting for the Maoists because they feel violence between UML and It hasn't been easy. Seven on a "package deal" that would they'd fare poorly in direct Maoist cadre in various parts of party leaders met in marathon include a formal declaration by elections, and want to ensure a the country in recent days, and an sessions all Thursday to thrash parliament on republic and a full minimum representation. Dahal announcement by various Maoist- out a compromise that would proportional election. is reported to have admitted to affiliated ethnic groups to assuage Maoist concerns. A broad The NC's unity and party the prime minister he was under intensify street protests. agreement was reached in the declaration to go for a federated pressure from within his party. The real enemies of the seven morning to call for a special loktantrik republic helped Although a pre-poll division of parties are militant groups who session of the interim parliament untangle the issue somewhat. seats would be irregular and have called for a poll boycott, and to pass a resolution on a 'Federal Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal undemocratic, some party leaders elections are only possible if they Democratic Republic of ' Dahal and Prime Minister Koirala say they see no problem as long stand together. z that would formalise a held a one-hour meeting on as it will bring the Maoists into Purna Basnet 2 EDITORIAL 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit Design: Kiran Maharjan Director Sales and Marketing: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Circulation Manager: Samir Maharjan [email protected] Subscription: [email protected],5542525/535 Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu 5543333-6, Fax: 5521013 Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5547018 “A date has been set” [email protected] www.nepalitimes.com James T Walsh has been a US Congressman representing New York for the past 18 years. He IDOL WORSHIP served as a Peace Corps volunteer Two events this week are reminders that the power of a globalised in Nepal in 1970–72, speaks fluent media now touches even the remotest corners of the world. Nepali and maintains his links with An Indian policeman from Kolkata makes it to the finals of a this country. Walsh was televised song contest marketed by a Japanese multinational media instrumental in drawing conglomerate in partnership with an Indian mobile phone company. Congressional attention to the pro- Nepalis spent an equivalent of Rs 70 million through mass SMS democracy movement in April 2006 voting to make this man win. When Prashant Tamang became India’s idol, why did half of and was also closely involved with Ilam drive across the border to celebrate with fellow-Nepalis? the Northern Ireland peace Prashant made us rethink the definition of what constitutes Nepali process. He is member of the House culture and . Why were our double triangle banners Appropriations Committee waving at midnight at the Mall in alongside Indian John Narayan Parajuli spoke to tricolours? At a time when people wearing Nepali caps are being Walsh this week. hounded out of the tarai, Prashant proudly wore the headgear that JOHN NARAYAN PARAJULI is a symbol of Nepaliness in India. When Bhanubhakta statues are being demolished by inclusivists in Nepal, our own Martin Luther Nepali Times: What’s your Is there a shift in US policy I understand that you are is almost worshipped by Nepali speakers in and the take on the latest hiccups in towards Nepal with the interested in coming to Nepal Indian northeast. Dasain boycotts have become the norm in parts of Nepal, but it Nepal’s peace process? departure of Ambassador to observe elections. is still the main holiday for . The very symbols of James Walsh: The government James Moriarty? If the opportunity arose to go back monolithic nationhood that are being questioned in post-April 2006 of Nepal needs to adhere to its At the moment, I don’t see any to Nepal and observe the Nepal are indentifiers for India’s Nepali-speaking minority. Five commitment to hold constituent such shift. However, I do know elections, I would be very Nepali workers in the Gulf have jointly published a book of poignant assembly elections on 22 that Ambassador Nancy Powell is interested. poetry in which they observe that while people back home now see November. It is vital that the a very thoughtful person and is each other as madhesi or pahadi, Hindu or Muslim, Tamang, people of Nepal have a specific taking the necessary time to come Will you be meeting Maoist Gurung, Limbu or , in the Middle East they are all Nepali. date to work toward. I worry that to her own decisions about the leaders? At one level the Prashant Tamang phenomenon showed the if the government pushes back role of the United States in It’s hard to say. If I had the chance current Nepali craving for a feel-good story, the need for a knight in the date even more, the elections Nepal. I know we both agree that to visit Nepal, I would cross that shining armour who, even if he can’t rescue us, will make us feel will not happen. You can only these elections need to happen as bridge when I got there. However, momentarily proud. At another, it proved the need for national symbols when the motherland itself is being torn apart by delay something as significant as scheduled and that the I would only consider a meeting centrifugal identity politics. this for so long. intimidation needs to stop. with Maoist leaders if they Prashant epitomizes the shared geography, shared history, Success takes time, but it also stopped de-railing the upcoming shared lingua franca of Nepalis no matter what their passport. But helps if everyone involved is Do you think there should elections. They need to play an he also underlines a flaw in our perception of ourselves and the working toward the same goal. It be some moderation, active and positive role in making way Nepaliness has traditionally been defined by hill-centric isn’t fair to the people of Nepal particularly on the US sure the elections are fair and nationalism. to continue to push back the stance on the Maoists? without interference. We wonder if there would be the same interest or excitement in elections. A date has been set and I think the US needs to continue Nepal if, instead of Prashant, an Indian of Nepali madhesi origin it needs to stay that way. to encourage the full Do you see the elections was the finalist. Probably not. Then there is the Ramdev participation of all eight political happening in November? phenomenon, which showed that televangelism has arrived and no Is there a difference parties, which include the The people of Nepal have part of the subcontinent is beyond its powerful footprint anymore. That an Indian yoga guru has such a following in ostensibly secular between your views and Maoists. All of Nepal needs to overcome so much and they Nepal also goes to prove our spiritual deficit and that lifestyle that of the Bush put their weapons down and deserve to be represented in a stress is now endemic in this country’s urban administration? commit to having an election on government they trust. Nepalis middle class. I support the views of this 22 November. Given the recent have put up with a civil war, a Crossborder television has redefined the public sphere and now administration, I agree with the withdrawal from the government dysfunctional monarchy and sets our national agenda. It is beyond regulation, and the message view of our government to by the Maoists it’s apparent that heinous forms of violence and goes directly to audiences. Nepal and India don’t just have an open support the elections on 22 they think of themselves intimidation. It’s time for Nepal border, we are now in the same geostationary orbit. The impact of November, and I also agree with differently than the other parties. to have a constitution worthy of this on our society, culture, politics and nationalism can only get our pledge of complete They should be held accountable its people. For Nepal’s future, stronger in the years to come. cooperation in making the for wrecking the agreement and these elections have to happen on elections happen. threatening strikes. 22 November. Our identity crisis Who are we, and why is Prashant Tamang our hero?

hen the boys from the boondocks Gorkhalis to stay away from work and sophistication, we are all tribals. We place the state even though they pay their dues. were the only contestants left, indulge in revelry. ethnicity above nationalism. Like most democrats of his time, BP W Indian journalists in Chennai, Delhi, The celebrations in Kalimpong and That also partly explains the communal Koirala was inspired by the French version, Kolkata and Mumbai lost interest in Indian Kurseong were understandable. For the divide over the outrages in Kapilbastu. And which forms the third leg of the NC platform Idol. The mainstream press quickly dubbed ecstatic Gorkhalis of the Indian northeast, it shows that the idea of ethnic nationalism along with socialism and democracy. To the competition a ‘battle of the hills’ and here was an event that transcended their propounded by the courtiers of Chandra counter its influence and create a separate relegated the story to the inside pages. Indian identity. When DD Bhutia, state land Shumshere persists despite more than 50 constituency of loyal supporters, King Flamboyant front runner Amit Paul is revenue minister of Sikkim gushed that years of effort to replace it with territorial Mahendra embraced the concept of Nepali from Shillong. Prashant Tamang, the dark “Prashant has sent the message of unity nationalism. Jati based upon the German idea of Volk. horse, is from Darjeeling. The Indian and brotherhood to the Darjeeling hills and There are two types of ethnic The entire Nepali polity is divided along glitterati, for whom these small towns may Sikkim,” his sincerity was unmistakable. nationalism. The French version hides its these lines. Paradoxically, the Maoists and The Nepali diaspora’s excitement was exclusivity behind the slogan of liberty, royalist parties are closer to the NC’s STATE OF THE STATE also explicable. The humble policeman equality and fraternity. But Parisian assimilation ideology, while UML and most from Kolkata was a kindred spirit. But the cosmopolitanism has no place for distinct other leftist parties embrace Mahendra’s C K Lal celebrations within Nepal defied all logic. ethnic identities of minorities. The ethnic nationalism. Neither concept has been Why were people rushing on to the streets ‘different’ members of society form a able to hold all Nepalis together. as well have been in outer space, in the middle of the night in Dharan, Tanahu subordinate population group. French Nepaliya nationalism must be more dismissed Prashant’s victory as an SMS and Kathmandu and setting off fire crackers nationalism subsumes other ethnicities accommodating to the aspirations of , aberration rather than a well deserved to rejoice at victory of an Indian citizen? before accepting them as near-equals in janajatis, madhesis, Muslims and other success. This was a sign of just how deep Indian national culture. marginalised groups. Republicanism aspires The mood was completely different in satellite television has gone in Nepal. The Germanic tradition of nationalism is to popular rule. Federalism is meant to Darjeeling, where the boy wonder was Marketers have discovered that gullible more closed, believing in the existence of a ensure people’s participation in governance. hailed as the epitome of Gorkhali grit and customers are prepared to pay a premium Volk which predates the notions of nation- Both become meaningless in the absence of determination in the face of adversity. for mobile phone texting to express their state and citizenship. Its membership may consensus over the definition of ‘people’. Sikkim announced a two-day holiday to sentiments. And above all, Prashant’s include people living in different parts of the Establishing the ideology of ‘We, the People celebrate, while in Kalimpong it was three popularity has exposed the hollowness of globe. Consequently, it is free to exclude of Nepal’ is perhaps the most pressing issue days. Any pretext is good enough for our modern nationalism: behind the mask of citizens working within the boundaries of of the moment. z 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368 3

LLL ETTERS

WAKE UP There is a simple reason why the Maoists quit the government (‘Peace hiccup’, #367). They don’t have a clear vision as they did during their insurgency. Like your cover picture shows: they live in an illusionist world of Stalin and Mao. What surprises me is that Nepalis living illegally in Scandinavian countries and UK are sympathetic to these red comrades. If they like Maoism so much why don’t they go back to their motherland? Prakash Thapa, email

It was heartbreaking to read about the violence in Kapilbastu (‘Wake up, prime minister’, #368) As Kanak Mani Dixit argues, where is the presence of the state? This government should take responsibility and resign. Bimal Poudel, email

Politicians in Kathmandu seem to believe that without a republic the country can’t run properly. I think the declaration of republic without constituent assembly election will be the worst decision for the country. This is the worst time for Nepal to be a republic, getting rid of the monarchy will not solve our problems. Given the violence in the tarai and the inability of the government to restore peace, the republic slogan is just to distract attention from their failures. It seems that the eight parties are running the county as per instruction from south of the border. Saurav Sharma, email

Ever since the restoration of democracy last year, all we have heard are slogans from the selfish political parties. While the tarai burns, all they can think about is their own petty interests in Kathmandu. Unless they mend their ways, nothing will change. D R Gurung, email

FLAWED ANALYSIS Shristi Jha’s analysis on election arithmetics is flawed (‘Fix this first’, #367). Jha doesn’t seem to have read the Constituent Assembly Act properly otherwise she couldn’t have said the various quotas add up to more than 100 percent. In Schedule 1, which gives the percentage of candidates, the table lays out what the proportion of electees should be but with a note saying the following: ‘Explanation: As a number of candidates represent more than one group, the sum total of the percentage of the candidates of all groups appears to be more than one hundred.’ T Thapa, Kathmandu

CONSERVATION HEROES The first anniversary piece (‘Conservation can’t wait’, #367) on the Ghunsa helicopter crash rightly remembers the contributions of our conservation heroes. But the article should have also mentioned the conservation accomplishments of Mingma Norbu, Tirtha Man Maskey and Narayan Poudel. Tirtha Maskey spent over 30 years in the conservation field beginning with the establishment of Chitwan National Park in 1970, and worked tiredlessly until he retired in 2004. As a former government employee at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, I feel the legacy of these great conservationists should be continued through individual and collective efforts. May their souls rest in peace, and the bereaved families have the strength to cope with their loss. Nima Sherpa, California, USA

JAI NEPAL Thanks to Maura Moynihan for such a wonderful article (‘Jai Nepal’, #365). It is so hard nowadays to hear something good about this country. I am so glad to see that people still have faith and hope for Nepal and Nepalis. Moynihan’s article gave me hope. I miss the Kathmandu that I left 15 years ago. I also feel sorry to read the news of violence, but I have confidence that Nepalis can resolve these issues through negotiations. For this, the politicians have to be less selfish. Srijana Tuladhar, email

I felt so proud and happy to read Maura Moynihan’s upbeat Nepali Pan column. The horrific stories on Kapilbastu and the serial bombings in Kathmandu, but they were so depressing I culdn’t even finish reading them. Nepali Times has shown how good news can also be news. That news need not all be negative. In Israel, the media has stopped putting news of bombings on page 1, they put inside so as not to make the people feel cynical and hopeless. Thanks to Moynihan for brightening up the day for a lot of your readers. Swikrit Manandhar, University of Maryland, USA

Thank you for bringing out the tragic human side of the evil bomb blasts in the capital (‘Only memories remain’, #367). It may be in our culture, as yet again our outrage over this terrorist attack is muted. It’s as if we have been numbed by violence. The government is just paying lip service and insensitive to the anguish of the relatives. Amit Pyakurel, Kathmandu

JOHN FINLAY I was very sad to read of the demise of John Finlay ( ‘Father of Nepal’s gobar gas industry’, #366). I met John five years ago at Bir Hospital and before he went off to the UK he had told my family that he was worried about the situation in Nepal. He was a true friend of Nepal and the people. His work to uplift Nepali livelihoods was selfless. Krishna Pradhan, Banepa 4 NATION 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368

The aftermath A group of women had gathered in Kapilbastu Postmortem Shovaram Sunar’s house in Bisanpur Who killed Moid? to celebrate Tij. At 9AM, a mob suddenly forced its way in and started in UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA beating them up. Everyone fled. JB PUN the Maoists as enemies,” his son told us in administration has banned Indian papers. Sunar helped female guests hide in the village of Budhuniya in Uttar Pradesh, The Maoists and madhesis are stepping the nearby sugarcane field. But he and aved Khan tries hard to calm 3km from Nepal’s border, "but in the last into the political vacuum left by the his younger brother, Dil Bahadur, could himself but the assassination of his few days, he said his life was at risk.” The absence of government. Large squads of not escape the rampaging crowd, who N father, Abdul Moid, has shocked Maoists say they were planning to work uniformed YCL cadres patrol madhesi murdered them with spears and him so much he says he cannot rest till he together with Khan’s group. villages, assuring pahadis the Maoists will homemade weapons. Bahadur had finds the killers. The suspicion for Khan’s murder is on protect them. Things are quieter, but the been married a month ago. Khan is now in India, and says he isn’t groups seeking to provoke war between fear is still so great that neither pahadis nor “We didn’t know Mohid Khan had sure who killed his father. He is only half madhesis and pahadis. Historically, madhesis want to return to their villages. been killed until the madhesi attacked convinced the Maoists had a hand in it Kapilbastu has seen friction between hill “Whoever killed him and whatever us, shouting ‘You are celebrating while he is dead,’” Sunar’s neighbour, Aruna even though the killing has worked to settlers and Muslim landlords. But the happened after that is very regrettable but BK, said. their advantage. The Maoists have strongly Hallanagar area, the epicentre of past we should be able to go back, and pahadis Dhan Bahadur Basnet was killed denied a role in the murder. tension, was untouched in the recent should too,” says Moid Khan’s younger mercilessly. Hemraj Basnet and his Moid Khan had been their most hated violence. (‘We will flush them out’, #240). brother Parvej. But he adds that until the family were hiding behind their house. enemy since 2003, when he switched from Did a madhesi group have a hand in YCL stops mobilising its cadres and His wife Sumitra begged the attackers being an ally to become the leader of the Khan’s assassination? Some, notably the removes them from the villages, no to spare her husband but they ignored anti-Maoist Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha in JTMM-Goit faction, were angered by his madhesi will feel safe to return. her pleas. Kapilbastu, where he was so well protected refusal to help them disrupt the There is no sign of the new three- Another victim was Mohit Bahadur the PLA couldn’t touch him. Constituent Assembly elections. JTMM-G member commission headed by Rajbiraj Sunar who had travelled with his Khan’s political U-turn in 2003 led to a cadres have also travelled to Budhuniya, Appellate Court judge Lokendra Mallik, set neighbour, Bimal Kunwar, from his spate of killings by both sides. The where Khan’s relatives and more than up to investigate the incidents and village, Shivagari, to Bisanpur to buy a cow. If he had not had to delay his Maoists blamed him for the death of more 2,000 displaced madhesi have taken refuge. recommend compensation. Many madhesis departure from Bisanpur, he would than 36 cadres, and they in turn killed his While his family are in a mood to forgive believe relief aid is mainly going to pahadi probably have lived. But he had to find brothers and nephew. and forget, the JTMM-G cadres seem to be victims. Some feel the government, rather change for his Rs 1,000 note to pay A month ago however, the two sides working actively to incite them to take than trying to restore calm, is keeping Bhiku Musalman. When he returned buried the hatchet with a pact mediated by revenge against pahadis. tensions high by imposing curfews and with the change, a mob armed with local NC leader Deep Kumar Upadhyaya. The Goit faction is also accused of making their return difficult. spears and knives attacked him. Khan shook hands with the senior Maoist misleading local Indian reporters with So far, only madhesi rioters, four of “Mohit fell down and I was severely in Kapilbastu. The war was apparently stories, now picked up by national and them Indians, have been jailed in wounded, but I managed to run while over. regional Hindi-language newspapers, that Kapilbastu. No action has been taken my friend was dying,” Kunwar said. “For the first time he looked happy pahadis are to blame for Khan’s death. against pahadis who set fire to a mosque The attackers selectively killed and travelled alone, and stopped slating Fearing more violence, the Kapilbastu and attacked madhesi villagers. z those who were leaders or were educated. Sunar was a local leader, popular among both madhesi and pahadi residents. “What had my husband done?” cried Sunar’s wife, Dilsari. “He had not harmed any madhesi.” There are at least 1,500 displaced families in Kapilbastu alone, many have fled to the hills of Argakhanchi. Hundreds of people, both madhesis and pahadis are still missing. In Bisanpur alone, more than 61 families out of 126 are missing, according to local Muslim leader Ahmed Abdul. Almost every house has been burnt. Many who survived are spending their third week in schools in Chandrauta and Sundari Dara. Madhesis have fled across the border to Gonda and Barni in Uttar Pradesh. Most families have decided to never FAR FROM HOME: Over 2,000 return to Kapilbastu, preferring to Nepali madhesi have fled to move back to their ancestral villages Duduniya village of Uttar Pradesh, in the hills. 3 km from Krishnanagar, uncertain Mukesh Pokhrel in Kapilbastu whether they can ever return home

MUKESH POKHREL

because of the curfew. Some the displaced people on the Nepal policemen were walking around side. aimlessly. Although the media for “We had to leave Nepal in a the most part had restrained hurry, our trucks were burnt, our Kapilbastu diary coverage, there were some shops were looted and we know reports of irresponsible reporting the people who did it,” said one by local FM stations of mosques refugee, who has taken shelter with Senseless violence in the land of Buddha’s birth being burnt which was not actually his family in a local college. He the case. added: “This is done deliberately to ARUNA UPRETY single person from the VDC or the spending their second week in a in KAPILBASTU CDO has come to see,” said one local shelter. Many were sick with From everyone we heard the destroy harmony in Nepali society. elderly man who is living in a infections. A pregnant woman was same lament: “this wouldn’t have The government should find the shelter and being taken care of by going into labour. As a doctor, I happened if the government had culprits and punish them.” t is difficult to believe that this acted on time.” “We were the first Local Indian politicians have is the district where Lord neighbours. was asked to help, but after When a group of human rights examining her I could tell that the to be hit,” said one trader. “They visited the refugees, who are Buddha was born. The people just looted everything from our seething with anger that the Iof Shivapur village look dazed as activists drove into the village, baby was dead. It was now they were the first outsiders there important to save the mother and shops and set them on fire. The administration in Nepal stood by as they walk in the ashes of their police were nearby but they did the riots spread. “We will go back burnt-out buildings. Two weeks in ten days. The villagers she needed immediate medical surrounded the visitors hoping evacuation. With help from the nothing.” They recognized some only after we get assurances of after the arson and pogroms, they local hooligans among the security from the government,” are still too shocked to speak. they’d brought food and other help. ICRC and UNFPA we got her out Because it is Ramadan, most to . But there are hundreds crowds, but most were new faces. said one Nepali. They are Muslim and Hindu A local health worker had a Sad and shocking as the families, they are madhesi and villagers here were fasting, but more who also need medical there is not much to eat in the attention and food. small pharmacy, it was looted and violence was, what gives us hope pahadi women all walking around the house set on fire. “I don’t know is that Hindus, Muslims and like they’re in a dream. evenings when they break their Because the people in fasts. Kathmandu and the district capital why they did it,” said the 26-year- Buddhists, pahadis and madhesis “They came in buses with old owner, who like many we are working together to help each knives,” recalled one woman, “As soon as we heard that have been so slow to react, local Moid Khan had been killed, we civil society and activists from all spoke to did not want to be other. They all blame motivated “they just went house to house identified. Many of the 18,000 forces who tried to use the selecting what to burn. Our sons expected looting and we sent word communities have united to to the CDO, but no one came to provide food and take care of the refugees are now living on the violence for political ends. sent us money from Saudi Arabia, Indian side of the border waiting Identifying these forces clearly and and we’d bought trucks, they burnt help,” said a villager from another displaced with the little they have. community. “Just look around, you At Chandrauta, the epicentre for the situation to stabilize. The punishing them will be very all of them. Nearly 50 houses were people there were mostly Muslim important not to allow a repetition burnt in this village alone." see the result.” of the organised arson and looting, and their pain was the same as of the riots. z “Since this happened, not a Hundreds of refugees were there was no one on the road BUSINESS 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368 5

India leads We invested in Prashant as ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nepal’s new brand ambassador India led South Asia in Indian idle regulatory reform last year, with an explicit policy objective to become a leading KALIMPONG: Nothing to focus is a tough road ahead, because he business-friendly economy, the attention of India’s Nepali now has to deliver on the people’s while Sri Lanka and Bhutan also stepped up their reforms, speakers than Prashant Tamang, expectations. He has now become according to Doing Business the media-created celerbity. an icon of Nepaliness in India, 2008, a World Bank report. Nowhere was the hype and and a mascot of nationalism in India came top worldwide hullabaloo as loud as it was Nepal. He provided an in reforms to cross-border here in Darjeeling, Kalimpong opportunity for Nepalis who trade. It also increased access and Sikkim. After all, it was the always suffer from an identity to credit by expanding credit mass SMS campaign by the crisis to be someone each Nepali bureau coverage to individuals as well as businesses, and population of these areas that could relate to. introduced an electronic allowed Prashant to win. Prashant’s challenge now is to registry for security rights stay away from the politicisation granted by companies. of ethnicity and nationalism even Sri Lanka made the most ECONOMIC SENSE though the millions who voted progress in South Asia in Artha Beed for him almost as if he was a easing business start-up, political leader want him to be eliminating burdensome approvals and introducing a The texting reached a more than just a crooner. flat registration fee. Start-up crescendo last weekend, with Of course, the millions spent procedures were cut from eight everything coming to a Gorkhaland agitation of the identity sentiments even on “electing” Prashant could have to five, and the time from 50 standstill so people could keep 1980s. though everyone knew this been donated to build schools or days to 39. Sri Lanka also sending SMSs over and over. The Chief Minister of was a money-spinning hospitals. As one wag put it, if we introduced electronic Millions of rupees were Meghalaya, the state whose franchise. had given the money to Indian submission of customs collected to pay the mobile candidate was the runner up, There are programs that Oil instead of Indian Idle we may declarations, cutting the trading time by seven days. bills. Everyone chipped in. opened state coffers so people force people to tow the state or have some petrol in our tanks. Bhutan implemented its Refusing would have cast could make free calls and free identity line, but the But all we did was make first labour law, prohibiting doubts on one’s nationalist SMS from public voting booths. speciality of Indian Idol was ourselves feel good briefly and forced labour, discrimination, credentials. No doubt, the phone company to combine it with ethno- make the franchisees exceedingly sexual harassment, and child Shopkeepers were asked to and tv producers laughed all the cultural identity to cash in on rich. labour. It also removed a 12- keep their phones outside their way to the bank. In fact, this was people’s latent nationalism. The Nepali identity is never month limit on fixed-term shops so that anyone could use even better than robbing the And this transcended the linked to prosperity but to contracts, eased restrictions on night work, and removed them for free. Students were bank! border to a 'greater Nepal'. It poverty, migrant labour and mandatory pay premiums for deputed to homes with In their quest of finding their was probably not the intention mercenaries. Prashant could be a daytime overtime. Bhutan also telephones so that they could own Nepali identity we of the organisers, but brand ambassador who could sped up property registration continue texting non-stop. contributed to this great Prashant’s victory had a broad change all that. Even if it is just by a month by adding more What began as a game ended up commercial venture. When the ramification for identity for that, perhaps, the investment judges to handle property being an outlet for the pent-up show finally began on Sunday politics within Nepal and in may be worth it. transfers, and reduced nationalism of this region of night no one dared stir the India. business start-up procedures. India which saw the violent hornet’s nest of communal and Prashant will now find it www.arthabeed.com

Bank wheels ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Everest Bank will now provide mobile banking services through its ‘bank on wheels.’ This mobile vehicle has been introduced through its branch office in Birtamod. Everest bank has 22 branches all over the country, the largest network among private sector banks.

Festival offer ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ On the occasion of Dasain, Morang Auto Works has launched a new scheme– Yamaha Dasain and Tihar Asambhav Offer. Customers will be entitled to a scratch card that contains Rs 4,000- 10,000 cash, and a lucky draw that can win them a Civil Homes bungalow at Kalanki.

BF offer ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ BF Dear Hill shoes have their own festival offer of scratch cards that can win customers a Bajaj Pulsar, laptops, colour televisions, mobile sets, DVD players and Rs 50-1,000.

E51 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nokia has launched the new E51 in its E series. The E51 is ideal for business professionals and provides mobile telephony, email and messaging, voice mailbox and one dial plan.

Winner ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Subash Chandra Adhikari of Kabhre won an all expenses paid trip to Anfield, Liverpool to watch Liverpool against Birmingham City. Adhikari presented the man of the match award to Javier Mascherano. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368 For the nation this, Prime Minister Girija Prasad

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Koirala must be up to the mark Editorial in The Dhankuta Herald, and must cultivate an 20 September environment of peace, which is Dhobi’s story not at all possible without the The Maoist decision to separate participation of the Maoists. For from government has caused a the progress of the country, the Purna Rai in Kantipur, 21 September state, but this has not happened. furore both inside and outside presence of the Maoists in Dhobi’s situation is typical of backward Nepali Nepal. If the CPN-M left government is compulsory. Rangalal Dhobi is 66 years old and hails from communities who lack an educational certificate, Raniyapur village in Banke district. His only land ownership papers and money. The dalits, government for the integrity of wealth is his bicycle and a tiny makeshift hut built freed kamaiyas and landless squatters are three the country, to preserve the Shailaja’s antics

on an empty plot of land. He is constantly worried key groups in that category who have no reach to freedom of the Nepali people, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ that his hut could be removed by the government the government. then it will certainly pay off in Budhabar, 26 September and is uncertain where his family would live, as Dhobi is not merely a madhesi but also a , the future. But if their action was they are landless. both of whom have never been considered part of undertaken only to quell fears There is no one more His previous generation had the state by the government. It and please a certain faction of the condemnable in Nepali politics spent all their lives working as has just neglected them. They slaves and had to make do with are even deprived of basic party, then this can have no than leader whatever their masters provided. human rights. Hence they are the positive effects whatsoever. . Her stale, He himself spent half his life the ones who have experienced all Just when the government is outdated and unsuitable views same way, as a bonded labourer sorts of injustice: landlessness, on the verge of constituent have proved that she herself is or kamaiya. exploitation for labour, illiteracy, assembly elections, when eight- unsuitable as a political leader. Following the liberation of humiliation, lack of political party unity is needed more than During the royal regime, when kamaiyas, including his family, rights and social exclusion. ever for leadership, the reversal of most politicians had their backs he managed to build tiny hut. But For many years, millions of he still continues to serve his dollars have been spent in their the Maoists will not benefit to the wall, Acharya was getting former master for his livelihood name and included in the peace-loving Nepalis, only violent chummy with the king. Due to and in return makes about Rs national budget. Despite all this, reactionary elements. this suicidal action, there is now 1,500 a year. This income is less their situation has hardly Political stability is most no space in Nepali politics for than a seventh of what the changed. It seems clear that the important. Without a proper her. She had to use religious and average Nepali earns. constituent assembly is key to political environment, no medical reasons to obtain a Statistics from the National NARESH NEWAR creating a new Nepali nation. A progress can be made and no position as ambassador to India. Planning Commission, Ministry new constitution will be formed of Finance and World Bank show that Nepalis on following the elections and will especially address processes will ever move forward. Now, at this crucial moment, average earn about Rs 10,000 a year. Dhobi has to the issues of the most socially and economically Or if they do, it will be with an she has reappeared at the Nepali feed six members of his family and this means he backward Nepalis. There is also hope that this will excruciatingly slow gait. Congress mass meeting. Two years would need to work in more than 50 houses to help to restructure the nation into a more caring If there is politics for the ago, during the 11th general properly provide for his family. But he has energy and responsible state. benefit of only one party then assembly of the Congress, when to work for only eight households. As for Dhobi, he does not have time to think that will only invite despotism. she got fewer votes than both Although 95 percent of kamaiyas, like Dhobi, about anything momentous like that, but can only This doesn’t mean that we stay Sujata and Shashank Koirala, she are from the Tharu caste, there are a few from the think of getting food to feed his family. He cannot hills and some are dalits from the tarai. The read and does not understand Nepali radio away from politics but rather handed in her resignation. There kamaiya families were thrilled when the broadcasts. Although he tries to grasp the words, scrutinise those in power so as been no news yet of her government announced that they would get he cannot comprehend the context. All he wants is that we can criticise their every withdrawing her resignation. She support, skills training, and free land. But Dhobi a piece of paper from the government that gives wrong step. hasn’t participated in any of the hasn’t received anything in the last seven years. him ownership of even a tiny plot of land. That is Rather than the benefit of one NC assemblies but once again she All he has is a kamaiya identity card which was what freedom means to him. That for him is the party, the political factions must has appeared suddenly, making supposed to help him get all the benefits from the new Nepal. focus on creating a suitable her uncertain political nature political environment. And for self-evident. SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368 7 Deuba even went as far as saying manhandled Khatri at Jawalakhel that an election without the and presented him to the police. Maoists would not count. The army prosecuted Khatri but At a time when everyone is according to the Nepal Army condemning the decision to pull Crime Division’s General BA out of government and oppose the Sharma, Khatri was cleared of all constituent assembly election, charges after investigation. Deuba’s support of the Maoist These corrupt soldiers who agenda has surprised everyone. steal and loot from the public, use Not only that but Deuba plans to fake licence plates and take change the government’s agenda. confiscated goods for their own Certain leftist factions among use, are promoted instead of the government have suggested prosecuted. This shows just how making Deuba the prime minister. corrupt the Nepal Army really is. When elections don’t happen, Khatri, engaged in illegal MIN BAJRACHARYA Girija Koirala will be too frail to activities ever since he was a During the April Uprising, continue as prime minister major, has always been shielded rather than step on to the streets anymore. These factions have by those above him. It is and protest, she supported the spread the information that the understood that Khatri, who is a royal regime. She said that only person both the close friend of General Kul everything was in the interest of international and national Bahadur Khadka, was promoted nation and was against the Jana community trust is Sher after pleasing first daughter Sujata Andolan. This alone should be Bahadur Deuba. Koirala. Khatri has also been enough to hurt her still, and Engaged in this conspiracy, engaged in various illegal the democratic government Deuba has also managed to delay smuggling activities. should take some kind of action Congress unity. Is there not a fear Another general who was against her. that Deuba, caught up in this promoted is Ajit Singh . It But she remains a member of grand plan, might sink the is public knowledge that four the Koirala family, and when country by letting it fall into the years ago Thakuri kidnapped a you’re a family member, even hands of the extreme left and Maoist girl from Dhangadi and treason can be forgiven. At a time destroy everything that democracy held her like a prisoner in his when help from our neighbours is has sought to build? home. Kept like a domestic crucial for democracy, we have servant, this girl was set free just Shailaja Acharya as ambassador. Odd promotions this year. The army lied to the

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ United Nations, the Human Rights Changing tack Dristi, 25 September Commission, the Red Cross and

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ various other human rights Deshantar, 23 September It seems corruption is going organisations for four years and unchecked in the Nepal Army. refused to arrest Thakuri. The girl There has never been any love lost Transfers and promotions all wasn’t even on the list of between NC-D chairman Sher seem to be based on a sackful of disappeared people. Bahadur Deuba and the Maoists. cash. Two colonels, accused of Ever since COAS Ruk Mangat The former prime minister corruption and crime and not yet Katuwal came to power, he has labelled the Maoists as terrorists cleared of any charges, have been been finding new ways and and put a price tag on the heads of promoted to general. establishing new rules to promote their leaders. Once, the Maoists Four years ago, recently corrupt people. Even the defence even tried to blow up Deuba’s promoted General Hem Khatri’s minister, Prime Minister Girija entourage in Kailali. battalion was responsible for the Koirala and his daughter Sujata Deuba used to praise looting of a public house on Koirala seem to be involved in Prachanda as a courageous 3 September 2003. Two taxis were this promotion process. It is politician but when he was also seized and fake numbers common knowledge in the army betrayed he started calling painted on. One was used as a that large sums of money change Prachanda a back-stabber. That is taxi and the other was used hands in order to make some why it comes as a huge surprise privately. people very happy and get when Deuba sticks up for the On 26 May, after complaints other people the promotions Maoists. Last Friday in Pokhara, from the victims, YCL and a mob they desire.

Referee: National Election Commission: Ready, one, two... : ... it’s all drama! Nepal, 30 September

QUOTE OF THE WEEK The Maoist base has collapsed in the“ tarai. We also don’t have any but we “ are not afraid to go to elections.

Prime Minister GP Koirala in Naya Patrika, 27 September

SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS There may be a petrol shortage, but car s Join the joy

ALL PICS: MIN BAJRACHARYA PANKAJ RAYAMAJHI and TRISHNA GURUNG

o what if there is no gas? Car prices are coming down, and sales have never been better. It’s a buyer’s market out there and there is stiff competition between the 25 or so brands out there. And it’s not just Kathmandu, car dealerships are opening up in Pokhara, , Birganj and SButwal. Profit margins may have gone down but car taxes contribute nearly 20 percent to the government’s revenue. Car dealers weathered a long conflict, petrol shortages and a recently concluded discount scheme for scrapping old cars. “It is a challenge to sell in a limited market,” admits Aakash Golchha, director of Hansraj Hulaschand, “ultimately, customer satisfaction counts and that happens when services are better.” The biggest change has been in people’s attitudes towards cars. Upwardly mobile urbanites are graduating from motorcycles to cars in greater numbers. With better paying jobs and higher disposable incomes, they are not prepared to wait for the good life. Thanks to generous finance schemes, they don’t have to. Anup Baral of Sipradi Trading, the agent for Tata in Nepal, says: “Nepalis are working harder and are willing to invest in cars. The fuel situation is worrisome and the market is unpredictable, but we are seeing higher sales than in 2006.” The business of selling cars is not divorced from politics and continued unrest in the tarai has put a slight dip on sales. Dipak Dutta, director of Nakasu Motors, a Mitsubishi dealer says: “The current political scenario is not the best, but things have improved compared to last year.” The good news is that competition is prompting dealers to ensure good after-sales service and many are upgrading their maintenance facilities. sales are soaring yride NEW CAR PICKS Here are three of the best new buys this season

The Kia Cerato is back with a bang, and some welcome additions. A “facelift” is how the helpful sales manager described it as he pointed out chrome details and the new reflective lights. We liked the more muscular body contours, dynamic handling and fresh new interiors, which include moulded seats, improved boot space, and a cute cubby- hole for your designer sunnies. Its new look is complemented by a smooth, sporty driving experience. The only thing that might take a little getting used to is the European-style reverse gear.

With the 1.6-litre Cerato, Kia has produced a classy competitor in the much coveted C- segment. It may be a few inches shorter than other C-class saloons, but that’s all the better for cornering, reversing and parking in the urban jungle. Created especially for city use, the Cerato’s MacPherson strut suspension system and the 160mm ground clearance will let you sail over the worst roads. Price: Rs 2,375,000

If anything can put the joy back into city driving it’s a car that packs a powerful punch without losing the fun. Check out the all new Chevrolet Spark, so new in fact that the paint has barely dried on this one-litre, four-cylinder, S-Tec powered marvel, which was launched in Nepal in August 2007. This baby is great to manoeuvre through the city and will always stand out in its five fresh colours. The five-speed gearbox is light to use and the car cruises almost silently at all speeds. What also sets the Spark apart is the ground- breaking interior design, especially of the dashboard, which is a semi-circular display of control and the warning lights. The digital and analogue speedometer and instruments are strikingly positioned in the centre, visible to all. We liked the other add-ons like hooks for hanging shopping bags and the hidden trays, which could save you a lot of grief if you are smart enough to stash your goodies there. Price: Rs 1,425,000

In a world full of choices, most of them expensive, the Hyundai Atos is the perfect first car that offers economy without compromising on style or substance. Billed as the “small car, big delight”, the Atos borrows from the design of its more popular cousin, the Hyundai Santro. It has a contemporary look with sleek lines and handles confidently, serviced by a one-litre, four-cylinder, 12-valve fuel- injected engine. It has a smooth pick-up as it slides into top gear and the tall-boy design is a plus for Nepalis of all sizes. The Atos doesn’t have a fancy dashboard or quirky extras but who needs that when you can still pick from eight exciting colours, including the cheerful Tweety Yellow? Price: Rs 1,115,000 10 NATION 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368

Does the new US embassy need a hijab? The prime

Arrested in This year’s 250th kumari chariot jatra Kathmandu was different from all previous ones would like to relate the story of my friend and her brush with the US embassy here in Kathmandu. Prema is an architect I and city-planner, trained in the US and currently living in Nepal. She is writing articles about Kathmandu’s architecture and is looking at several prominent buildings in the city, including the new US embassy in Maharajganj. Last week, Prema was headed to Bansbari with her family. As she was passing the US embassy, she thought she would take some pictures from the road for her article. She asked the taxi to wait as she stepped out to take a few shots, across the road from the embassy. Men whistled, feet shuffled, armour dazzled. She was whisked into the embassy grounds by two armadillo-like security men and they confiscated her outdated Nikon camera. She asked NEPALIPAN them what the issue was and Azaadi Desh how it would be resolved. They said she had to go through The Procedure. She tried to understand what The Procedure was, and how long it would take (as her family was waiting outside in the taxi), but no one seemed to know. Prema was taken through four layers of security personnel within 10 minutes. The guards kept telling her they were simply doing their job. She offered to delete the pictures, but that wouldn’t suffice. She offered to leave the memory card with them...nope. She finally told them they could keep her camera, but even that wouldn’t do. The Procedure, it turned out, was to have her detained without explanation, interrogated by a high-level American security officer, SCOTT BERRY and politics were forgotten at were beaten back with the old profiled with personal background and mugshots, and strongly festival time. enthusiasm. Meanwhile, in front reprimanded for breaking a US law in Nepal. ast year, anticipation was An unforgettable feature of of the king there was a small The well-heeled American security officer informed Prema it in the air as we wondered the festival in those days was the flag-waving, pro-royalist was against the law to take pictures of US government buildings. L whether the king would brutal crowd control that would demonstration. This year it was She didn’t think it was a good time to tell him about the millions of show up or not. Of course in the begin about an hour before the the pro-royalist black-flag tourists taking pictures of the White House. Finally, she was let go end he did, and as he stood on king’s arrival. With typical demonstration that was kept 'this one time', he would not call the police to put her in jail. Prema the balcony of the Gaddi Baithak, cheerful Nepali anarchy and out, giving the riot police their left the embassy with her camera, no pictures, and chewing on the he looked confident, arrogant, amnesia (it happened every year) one opportunity to wield their lessons she was force-fed. even happy, in spite of the people would crowd into the truncheons and make a few boycott by most foreign square in front of the Gaddi arrests. diplomats. Baithak, only to be beaten back, Also kept out, for some This year, the same sometimes quite viciously, to reason, were the dancers. Did the anticipation. Would this be the make room for the military prime minister not wish to first time in the 250 year history bands, the Newar dancers, and appear to be stepping directly of the Kumari Rath Jatra, that the the king’s motorcade. Even more into the king’s footsteps? Lakhe festival would not be presided striking was that no one actually and Bhairav had spun around over by a monarch? Even till seemed to mind. No one ever enthusiastically in return for 3.30 PM no one seemed sure. In fought back, and people even royal coins last year. Lakhe now the end Girija Koirala did show smiled and laughed as they held put in an appearance just long up, but disappeared at the crucial their aching heads as if it was all enough to slip and fall. Bhairav time. part of the fun. and his followers literally had to Inside Kumari Ghar everyone Not last year. Just about the fight their way into the square, was so taken up with time the onlookers were then danced listlessly off to the preparations for the 250th eventually persuaded to leave side. Indra’s elephant, a great MIN BAJRACHARYA anniversary of Kumari Jatra, that the square, a noisy crowd of crowd pleaser, was nowhere to This is what she told me: the question of who would Maoist anti-royalists tried to be seen, at least not yet. Just "Personally, the embassy’s security procedure seemed preside did not seem very force their way in from the before Ganesh, Bhairav and disproportionate and intimidating. It seems to be a misuse of their important. “That’s just politics. It direction of Kasthamandap and Kumari emerged, when own resources. I realised how unnerving and helpless it feels to be doesn’t concern us,” one of the at the mercy of armed and powerful authorities who represent the Kumari guardians said. law, and who have no respect for your perspective. My respect for During the early and mid- the press and for human rights groups has multiplied. eighties, we never missed the first From an architect’s perspective–full points to the US embassy. day. To make sure we got a good It has achieved what most architects can only aspire for–that the vantage point, we would be building’s physical form and lack of harmony with the site embodies sitting on the steps of the Narayan and reflects the culture and ethos of its inhabitants. Temple (which nowadays is As a planner, I find the no-picture rule quite disturbing. It blurs reserved for the massive press the conceptual difference between the public and the private. If the corps, rather unfairly keeping embassy does not want their building to be scrutinised or Kumari’s biggest fans at a photographed, wouldn’t it be simpler to cover or hide the façade distance) from about 2PM, though (like they have done with Phora) than to mandate the behaviour of the king would not arrive until people on the street? Doesn’t the public façade of a building have the right to be accessed by the public?" after four and the chariot pulling The US Embassy spent a lot of their security resources on my would not begin until after five. petite friend. In return, I have spent some resources in writing this King Birendra was still an article on her behalf, to spread public awareness of the law. The absolute monarch. While he was lesson to the Nepali public is: when you next trespass on that not popular among urban, stretch of Maharajganj, please avert your gaze lest you break some educated youth, anything like an US law in Nepal. anti-monarchy demonstration would have been unthinkable. The monarch was simply there, NATION 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #36811 minister and the kumari

festivities should have been Ghar, it was very surprising and reaching a fever pitch, the square shocking.” went eerily quiet. On the other hand, Rashmila When the chariot procession said, everyone was very excited started, things got very strange. over the 250th anniversary of the The prime minister stood there Kumari festival, adding: “There smiling and waving, among far were lots of special pujas in more ambassadors and far less front of the chariot, so this year military brass than had been there was a very special present last year, as Ganesh and atmosphere.” Bhairav stopped in front of him. Is it reading too much into Then, before Kumari’s chariot this to connect Kumari’s approached, he went inside, behaviour with the present state followed by his ministers. At of the monarchy? There are this point, an axle on Kumari’s precedents. In 1954 Kumari rath broke. I’ve seen her stuck in mistakenly gave the king’s tika all sorts of potholes in the back to Crown Prince Mahendra, who streets, and I even remember within a year would occupy the seeing her carried home while throne. And in 1990, Rashmila, her chariot was left to be who had always enjoyed perfect retrieved the next day. But I have health, became ill and moody never seen her stuck before she during the Democracy even started. Movement, though she knew Meanwhile the crowd was nothing about politics. But entertained by a combination of perhaps we should look for a black-flag protestors fighting the more positive interpretation. police, Indra’s elephant running Could the present Kumari’s about complaining about not behaviour symbolise a more being let into the square earlier, relaxed and open future for the the band which kept bravely nation? playing away, and a ten-figure Through the broken axle, the tableau that got bored with black flag demonstration and the standing there and started PICS:MIN BAJRACHARYA disappearing prime minister, dancing. let’s not forget that Kumari is When Kumari’s rath finally festival of 1767. Of course the eighties, was always stone-faced break into tears. still a symbol of the unity of the got going, with nothing but a upcoming tika ceremony on as tradition required, in spite of Rashmila Shakya says this nation and of the lack of enmity bunch of foreign ambassadors to Sunday night is even more the excitement around her. year’s festival was different from between faiths: a Buddhist girl greet her, it didn’t bother to stop important, but we will have to Rashmila Shakya, who took over any other she remembers. The who becomes a Hindu goddess for the usual tribute. As soon as wait and see what happens then. from her in 1984, has told me that former Kumari who is now a and is venerated by both she had passed, Girija Babu Once Kumari got started, she as soon as she donned her naga computer technician at Lumanti communities. And if she breaks miraculously reappeared, had a good long procession, not necklace, she felt like she was in a in Kopundol said that at first with tradition by smiling, Nepal smiling and waving at the back returning till 2AM. This was different world, and the thought no one knew whether the king needs all the smiles it can get of the chariot, the first time in caused not by further of smiling, or betraying any or the prime minister was these days. Let’s hope hers can 250 years that Kumari has not breakdowns, but by the unusual emotion at all, never even coming. “There were no dancers make a difference. been greeted by a head of state. In number of pujas and and bhajan occurred to her, though she was in the square, so it was not as fact, this must have been the groups along the way in ‘smiling inside’. The present exciting as usual,” Rashmila Scott Berry is associated with strangest reception Kumari has celebration of the 250th Kumari never bothers to keep her said, “and the prime minister CNAS and, with Rashmila had since anniversary of the festival. feelings secret. She smiles did not throw coins, he only Shakya, is the co-author of From appeared out of nowhere in place This was my third Kumari. and talks constantly during watched. And then when the Goddess to Mortal, the True Life of Jayaprakesh Malla at the Anita Shakya, Kumari in the early festivals, and I’ve even seen her chariot broke in front of Kumari story of a Former Royal Kumari. 12 INTERNATIONAL 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368 Burmese days Things might get much worse before they start to get better

urma’s military international community has than $3 a year per person) remains Valley to China’s Yunnan condemnation do little to address government is fairly good done little or nothing to about a twentieth of what’s Province and beyond. Hundreds the multifaceted challenges facing B at two things: cracking encourage efforts toward a just provided to Cambodia, Laos or of thousands of Chinese have the country today. They were a down on peaceful demonstrators, and sustainable peace. The civil Vietnam. already settled in Burma in recent response to the very different and then coolly ignoring any war is at the centre of Burma’s Third, there’s the changing years and more will likely follow. Burma of nearly 20 years ago, international criticism that might problems, it’s what has brutalised nature of the state itself. Over the Taken together, all these when it looked like democracy follow. Both skills have been on and impoverished the country, past couple of decades, the changes suggest possibly was just around the corner and a full display in recent weeks, as and its proper conclusion is Burmese army has more than treacherous times ahead. The good push from friends overseas anger over official policies drove crucial to any progress. doubled in size, to over 400,000 ceasefires could come unstuck. might make all the difference. Then there’s the economy, one men, and is today one of the The humanitarian crisis in parts Without a fresh international of the poorest in the world. After largest armies anywhere. In many of the country could get worse. approach, it may soon be too COMMENT 30 years of self-imposed isolation ways, the army is the state in State structures could further late to avoid a catastrophe in Thant Myint-U and ruinous quasi-socialist Burma. Other institutions of weaken, rendering even more Burma. policies, the junta reversed course government–the civil service, the difficult any transition to a future tens of thousands of people onto in the early 1990s, privatising health and education systems, democratic government. And it’s Thant Myint-U is the author of the streets, only to be met with businesses, welcoming foreign local administration–are either not impossible that China’s The River of Lost Footsteps: the expected heavy hand. If the trade and investment, and seeking extremely frail or virtually growing presence, combined with Histories of Burma (see review). junta has one bedrock policy, it’s international aid. But the West nonexistent. Insurgent armies rising economic frustrations, will He is delivering a talk on Burma to prevent any repetition of the began to impose debilitating still hold sway over parts of the lead to anti-Chinese violence. on Friday 5, October at 6 PM at 1988 uprising that came so sanctions, and the threat of borderlands. And in some other Sanctions and long-distance Yala Maya Kendra (5552141). close to overthrowing decades of boycotts kept most international areas there simply isn’t much army rule. companies away. The World Bank government at all, perhaps an Beneath the long-running and the IMF were prevented from army battalion to keep down any political stalemate in Rangoon, helping. Around the same time potential dissent, but almost Burma has actually been changing the Burmese discovered a treasure nothing to provide basic social fast; not necessarily in the right trove of natural gas, worth and legal services. Any major direction, but changing all the hundreds of billions of dollars, political upheaval is as likely to same. The problem is not that the sitting offshore. The net result? A lead to anarchy as anything else. situation will stand still: the Burmese regime that can easily Finally there is the looming problem is that things might get withstand Western sanctions, an presence of China, the rising worse –much worse. economy still closely tied to superpower on Burma’s doorstep. First, there’s the civil war. For official power and patronage, and While Western countries have nearly half a century, the Burmese a growing underclass facing been wondering how to promote army battled an array of greater hardship than ever before. democracy, China has been communist and ethnic-minority Millions of poor people from quietly changing the facts on the rebellions, growing bigger and rural areas are on the move, in ground. More and more of tougher in the process and seizing search of work and food, Burma’s economy is being linked power along the way. About including across the border into north and east, with new roads, 15 years ago, the government and Thailand. Many are now in bridges and railways, and now most of the rebel groups agreed to desperate need of basic life-saving plans for a multibillion-dollar oil a historic set of ceasefires. But assistance, and yet per capita pipeline extending from the Bay these are just ceasefires, and the international aid to Burma (less of Bengal across the Irrawaddy Military oblivion

uring the darkest days of the migrating to Burma during the British king’s rule, when it looked like days, prospering as dairy farmers, traders D Nepal was headed towards and security guards. Then the war came oblivion, there were many who said the and the British retreated to India, international community would never abandoning Burma to a relentless tolerate a dictatorial monarch or totalitarian Japanese advance. Up to 15,000 Nepalis novel, The Glass House. less isolated, if there were more trade, more communist rule in Nepal. in the British Army died in the battle for Thant explores with sensitivity the engagement–more tourism in particular– Yet, there are in this day and age Burma. Indians and Nepalis were driven humiliation of colonialism and the and if this were coupled with a desire by countries like North Korea and Burma that out in the 1960s, but there are still an brutality of the war years (it was the most- the government for greater economic the international community hasn’t been estimated 100,000 Nepalis in Burma. bombed country in Asia after Japan) and reform, a rebuilding of state institutions, able to do much about. The River of Lost Footsteps: Histories the role they may have had in the rise of a and a slow For the past 50 years, the world has of Burma is a bittersweet history of the paranoid military dictatorship that made opening up of space for civil society, then looked on as the military maintains its iron country by Thant Myint-U, grandson of isolation the national credo. Burma’s perhaps the conditions for political change grip on Burma. UN Secretary General U Thant. As the separatist conflicts are the longest running would emerge over the next decade or two.” Its popular opposition leader, Aung San title suggests, these are multiple histories wars in the world today, and may provide For Nepalis, there is a lesson in all this. Suu Kyi, won the Nobel Peace Prize and of Burma interwoven with the saga of proof to us here about how difficult it is to Our own royal military junta was an became a symbol of democratic resistance. Thant’s own family. The story begins in stop ethnic fighting once it starts. The 8-8- international pariah till recently and, if the Yet, the Orwellian State Law and the mid-19th century and British India’s 1988 uprising was so brutally crushed that political parties bungle again, how easy it Development Council is as entrenched as preoccupation with finding a land trade it has taken nearly 20 will be to revert back to isolation. ever, now bludgeoning monks to death. The route to China. They’d tried to forge a years for the monks to And all the ‘international lesson from Burma is that the international link via Nepal, but the rulers of the march again on the community’ can do is issue community is made up of countries that act belligerent kingdom of Gorkha fought streets of Rangoon. statements. Kunda Dixit in their national interest. Change has to fiercely to keep them out. Thant is a firm come from within. It was Randolph Churchill who took opponent of the west’s China has geo-strategic reasons to back Britain to war with Burma for economic knee-jerk sanctions to the junta, ASEAN and the UN are limited and domestic political reasons to bring put pressure on the The River of Lost Footsteps: about what they can do and even India about regime change. Sound familiar? junta, despite proof it Histories of Burma which last week signed a $120 million Burma was never the same again. Thant’s hasn’t worked. Isolating By Thant Myint-U natural gas deal with the Rangoon regime great grandparents were officials in the an already isolated Burma Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006 doesn’t want to upset the junta. court before the kingdom fell, and King perpetuates its 384 pages, $25 For Nepalis, Burma is a part of our Thibaw was sent to exile in India where dictatorship. Thant Limited stock at Mandala Book historic and cultural lore. Nepalis started he died, the subject of Amitav Ghosh’s writes: “If Burma were Point (4227711) REVIEW 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368 13 Ultimate thriller Name’s Bourne, Jason Bourne sugar for their political analysis to go down. Greengrass keeps the film at a clipping pace with its jittering, bobbing hand-held camerawork and cuts that are mere seconds long for much of the film. It works for a while, but even for the MTV generation the effect cloys rapidly. The breakneck pace means most of the film speeds past you, and even before you can make sense of one plot element, it has already become Soshana in Nepal irrelevant. oshana first came to Nepal in 1957, and we can only imagine The adrenaline-pumping S what her artist eyes saw here. An emerald valley with green action owes much to the agile terrace fields, the russet tile and brick towns of Patan and camera work that follows the Bhaktapur perched on ridges under azure Himalayan skies. actors in the various cat-and- Soshana is now 80, a celebrated Austrian artist and mouse scenes of good guys contemporary of Picasso, Albert Giacometi, Mark Rothko and The Bourne Ultimatum, the third tracking a determinedly elusive hunting bad guys hunting good Rufino Tomaya. Her paintings have been collected by private offering in the Bourne series, is character (a certain turbaned guys. But it relies as much on museums and institutions along with private collectors such as distinguishable from its bearded Saudi the performances of the “assets,” Baron Rothschild, Jean Paul Sartre, the Guggenheims and the predecessor only in a matter of notwithstanding). And yet, the a euphemism for assassins in the Hirshorn family. degrees. Jason Bourne once again present situation in Iraq creeps employ of the CIA. Something “We are celebrating our 20th anniversary and the 50 years since attempts to piece together his into the film, albeit obliquely, akin to James Cameron’s Soshana came to Kathmandu,” says Sangeeta Thapa of Siddhartha past, while the nervous CIA mostly presented by the ripostes Terminators, they are At Gallery, “it is a very prestigious venture for a private gallery attempts to eliminate him. lobbed back and forth in the CIA dispassionate relentless killers like ours.” Director Paul Greengrass has war room that mirror the right who doggedly pursue their Soshana herself will not be able to travel to Kathmandu, but and the left in American targets. Their silent menace and said in a recent interview: “When I was in India in 1957 I decided editorials and talk shows. For stifled morals have a strange CRITICAL CINEMA it was time to go to Kathmandu. I have not encountered such instance, the villainous Deputy gravity that grant weight to the A Angelo D’Silva hospitality anywhere else in the whole world. I also went to Director of the CIA (David movie. In one action scene that Pokhara which was very quiet, serene and beautiful. I felt like Strathairn), embodying the seems like the crux of the film, staying on in Nepal.” honed his craft from his previous hawks’ position, admits Bourne fights an asset, their Soshana also met Lain Bangdel in Paris, but it was her art projects, giving us more of what “mistakes were made” at the dizzyingly choreographed duel dealer in Zurich who suggested that she visit Nepal. Soshana went made the previous incarnation so censure of subordinate Pamela ends with Bourne choking his on to China and says Chinese art influenced her to paint successful. And Matt Damon has Landy (Joan Allen), a tough opponent with a towel and figuratively. perfected the silent morose blonde soft on Bourne (Hillary Greengrass holds for seconds Soshana was born in Vienna in 1927, and was already famous poses–leaving you to read all sorts for president?), but chides her longer causing us to slip in the 1950s with her works exhibited worldwide. It was in Paris of weighty and troubling “armchair criticism”. The momentarily from being purely that Picasso discovered her in the Salon de Mai. She travelled a lot thoughts on his furrowed brows flashbacks Bourne suffers are entertained into being sickly and exposure to various cultures inspired Soshana’s visual and unsmiling face. Bourne is the also loaded with images like aware of the violence depicted. worlds. Bond of our time: a glum, gritty, hooded figures resonating with Here is one message the film Soshana’s visual language expresses her inner feelings. She reluctant killer as opposed to the Abu Ghraib and other sundry articulates brilliantly: there is a refers to current problems of our time and puts them passionately slick and glamorous spy of torture scenes, and reflect the high cost when we train people on an equal footing with Chinese lacquer work or sacral yesteryear. amnesia that seems to inflict the to kill. architecture. Ultimatum engages both in a American populace. This kind The Soshana exhibition is also being shown in Vienna, kind of escapism and fantasy: on of veiled political criticism is Director: Paul Greengrass Montreal, New York, Chicago and Zurich in the coming months. the one hand the war on terror is almost a habit for films coming Cast: Matt Damon, David banished to the faint margins of out of Hollywood, as if the Strathairn, Joan Allen, Julia Soshana the frame; on the other hand, the filmmakers feel that their Stiles, Edgar Ramirez 30 September-20 October CIA is fantastically equipped in audience needs a spoonful of 2007. R. 111 min. Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babaer Mahal Revisited www.siddarthaartgallery.com

Siddhartha turns 20 Siddhartha Art Gallery celebrates its 20th anniversary by staging an exhibition this week of the works of the Austrian artist and Picasso contemporary, Soshana. “It is fitting that we have such an important exhibition to celebrate our two decades of existence,” says Sangeeta Thapa who set up Siddhartha Art Galley with Shashikala Tiwari in 1987. Indeed, Siddhartha has strived to be a contemporary art space and meeting point for artists from Nepal and abroad. Located at the Baber Mahal Revisited, itself a renowned heritage conservation site, the gallery has attempted to introduce international perspectives in art to the Kathmandu community. Artists from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Japan, China along with Tibet, Korea, Australia, France, Belgium, Austria, Holland, Germany, Britain, Finland, the US and many Nepalis have held a total of 253 exhibitions here. Some landmark events have been exhibitions of Amar Chitrakar, Karna Narsingh Rana, Shashikala Tiwari, Ragini Upadhya-Grela, Uttam Nepali, Shashi Shah and Tej Bahadur Chitrakar. ‘Celebrating Line’ was the first ever exhibition of drawings in Nepal, there was a powerful anti-conflict exhibition by Durga Baral and an exhibition by the celebrated Bombay-based artist Laxman Shrestha. The gallery has also organised exhibitions of Nepali artists in India and in Pakistan. The gallery is presently working with GTZ on its third community art project ‘Whose City Is This?’ with more than 100 poets examining urban issues. “We believe that culture is an important component of development,” says Thapa. “We do this by investing in creativity.” 14 CITY 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368

ABOUT TOWN ‘Dhol - Kiska Bajega’ revolves around the lives of four friends - Sam (Tusshar Kapoor), Pakkya (Sharman EXHIBITIONS Joshi), Maru (Rajpal Yadav) and Goti (Kunal Khemu, ™ The Interplay Heart Beat VI paintings and sculptures by various who’re bound together by their child-like notoriety and artists at the Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal, until 29 September. aimlessness. Things get worse as the four decide to 9851050299 take some desperate measures to end their misery once ™ Digital art exhibition by Bishnu Shrestha at New Orleans, Patan, and for all. According to them, the only way to get rich until 30 September. 5522708 without working hard is to get married to a rich girl. ™ Spiritual abstractions collage paintings by Gaurav Shrestha at Arrives the rich girl Kanchan (Tanushree Dutta), so all the Art Shop, Darbar Marg, 11AM-6PM until 6 October. 4267063 Entertainment four set out with their individual plans to marry her but ™ Exhibition of Tibetan furniture and Thangka paintings at the end up discovering an unexpected truth. Kathmandu Gallery, Thamel, until 13 October. 4248094 Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal

™ Soshana an exhibition of drawings and paintings by Soshana, on Quest www.jainepal.com occasion of the 20th anniversary of Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babar Mahal Revisited, 30 September-20 October, 11AM-6PM. 4218048

EVENTS ;xeflutfdns" ;ljwfg+ lgdf0fsf{ nflu ;ljwfg;efsf+ ] g]kfn ;/sf/ ™ Prashant Tamang live in Kathmandu on 29 September at St. Xavier’s School grounds and Pokhara on 30 September at lgjfrgdf{ ;xefuL eO { cfkm}+n] 5fgsf] kltlglw| dfkm{t ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno Exhibition ground, Naya Bajar, with Ankeeta, Deepali and Nima gof F ;ljwfg+ lgdf0f{ u/f }+ . ;"rgf ljefu Rumba. ™ School Bullying a workshop by Niti Rana, 29 and 30 September at The New Era, Battisputali. 9851023958 ™ NADA auto show 2007 with vehicles from all leading brands, at the Birendra International Convention Centre, till 1 October. ™ Western classical for students with the Ragazze String Quartet, at the Rato Bangala School auditorium, 11AM and 2 PM on 7 October, Rs 100. ™ Geheime Wahlen launching of the German translation of Manjushree Thapa’s The Tutor of History, reading and discussion with the author and translator, on 10 October, 5:30 PM at Dhokaima Cafe. 9841226112 ™ Film South Asia 2007 Festival of South Asian documentaries, 11-14 October. www.filmsouthasia.org ™ Toastmasters a communication and leadership program, organised by Kathmandu Toastmasters Club every Wednesday 6PM at Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI) building, Tripureswor. 4288847

MUSIC ™ Autumn Reminiscence with Kutumba and Abhaya and the Steam Injuns , 29 September, 6PM at the Patan Museum courtyard, Rs 500. ™ The best of Jazz music with Inner Groove at Moksh, Pulchok, 28 September, 8.30 PM. 5526212 ™ Western classical music with flute, violin and cello at New Orleans, Patan, 29 September. 5522708 ™ Jazz at Jatra every Saturday 7PM onwards, at Jatra Café and Bar, Thamel. . ™ Ciney Gurung every Wednesday and Rashmi Singh every Friday, live at the Absolute Bar, Hotel Narayani Complex, 7PM. 5521408

DINING ™ High tea at the Hyatt Regency, taste pear and berry crepes at The Lounge, 4.30-6.30PM. 4491234 ™ Italian barbeque lunch at Alfresco, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Saturdays, 12.30-3.30PM, Rs 300 plus taxes. 4273999 WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL ™ Jazz in Patan with coffee, food, drinks, and dessert at the New That was one huge cyclonic system that just drenched us in four days Orleans Cafe, Jawalakhel, 11.30 AM-10PM. 5522708 of rain this week. Kathmandu has exceeded its September quota of ™ BBQ, chilled beer, cocktails and live music at the Kausi rain. And that, as they say, is that. Looks like that was one dying gasp Restaurant and Bar, Darbar Marg, 6218490 of the monsoon. Now, aside from convection systems in the mountains Radisson Hotel, Lazimpat, ™ BBQ Unlimited at Splash Bar & Grill and midhills that produce localised thunder showers, there shouldn’t every Friday 6.30 PM, Rs. 899 nett. be any more serious rain. Expect isolated showers in the hills this ™ 5th Annual Monsoon Wine Festival 16 wines at Rs 150 a glass and Rs 600 a bottle, at Kilroy’s of Kathmandu, Thamel. 4250440 weekend, but for the most part sunny afternoons and the mornings will ™ Monsoon Magic live jazz by Inner Groove and a variety of have a slight nip in the air. cocktails from the summer special menu, every Wednesday, Rs 599 at Fusion – the Bar at Dwarika’s. 4479488 ™ Lajawaab curry, kebab and biryani festival, every Friday, 7PM onwards at Café Horizon, Hotel Himalaya. 5523900 ™ Shangri-La’s pasta, pizza, pie, and pool a special swimming package with a complimentary beer, Rs 650 nett per person, every Saturday and Sunday at Shangri-La Hotel. 4412999 ™ Kebabs and curries at the Dhaba, Thapathali. 9841290619 KATHMANDU VALLEY KATHMANDU ™ Krishnarpan Nepali specialty restaurant at Dwarika’s Hotel, six to 22 course ceremonial lunch and dinner. 4479488 Fri Sat Sun ™ Weekend special with sekuwa, bara, barbeque, Fridays at Ambassador Garden House, Lazimpat, 5.30 PM onwards. 4411706 ™ Light nouvelle snacks and elaborate cordon bleu meals at 29-17 30-17 29-18 La’Soon, Pulchok, behind the Egyptian embassy. 5537166 ™ Calcutta’s rolls, biryani, kebabs Indian cuisine at Bawarchi, Bluebird Mall Food Court. 9741000735 ™ Rediscover fine Italian cuisine at La Dolce Vita, Thamel, all new exciting menu. 4700612 ™ Pizza from the woodfired oven at Java, Thamel. 4422519

GETAWAYS ™ Star cruises vacation from Singapore, sailings until 11 November, bookings till 31 October, 50 percent discount for companions. 2012345 ™ Overnight package at Dwarika’s Himalayan Shangri-La Village Resort, Dhulikhel, includes accomodation, snacks, dinner and breakfast. 4479488 ™ Experience Hyatt one night stay on double occupancy, full buffet breakfast at The Cafe and access to Club Oasis, Rs 5,000 plus taxes, valid only for Nepali and local residents. 4491234 ™ Monsoon madness two nights three days package at Shangri-La Village, Pokhara, Rs 5,999 for a couple. 4412999.

For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] HAPPENINGS 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368 15

KIRAN PANDAY LAME DUCK: Senior leader of Nepali Congress Krishna Prasad Bhattarai is helped on his way to the NC reunification meeting in Lalitpur on Tuesday, where he resigned from the party.

DAMBER KRISHNA SHRESTHA GURUNG GALA: Chure Damai, a childhood friend of Harka Gurung, garlands Gurung’s picture during the launch of the Nepali translation of Gurung’s Vignettes of Nepal (Maile Dekheko Nepal) at his home village of Ngadi in Lumjung last weekend.

KIRAN PANDAY YOGA WHIZ: Swami Ramdev demonstrates a yoga position to schoolchildren on Monday. The organizers claimed more than 14,000 children attended the class from 250 schools in Kathmandu.

KIRAN PANDAY HOT PROPERTY: Models pose with the latest Bajaj motorcycles at the 2007 NADA Auto Show at the BICC on Thursday. The show will close on 1 October.

Sports Bar 16 BACKSIDE 28 SEPTEMBER - 4 OCTOBER 2007 #368 www.nepalitimes.com

bad omens will she bother to bless the the Rs 3,000 a month it got from the country for another year? government. Ouch. FDR of Nepal FG FG Is it just the Ass that finds it a bit strange Elder Statesman KP Bhattarai never ceases to t is a toss up, who will gather bigger Arjun Narsingh KC of NC and NP Saud of that if the Maoist ministers have resigned amaze, he may have committed the last crowds in Kathmandu: Ramdev or NC-D, Mahara introduced Saud to Ramdev from government, shouldn’t their four political hara-kiri of his life by standing by I Prashant. as being from the “democratic congress” ambassadorial appointees also resign? On the crown, but don’t dismiss the old man The yoga guru’s trip seems to have been and KC from the “undemocratic congress”. moral grounds, as it were? After all, their yet. Does he know something we don’t, jinxed from the very first day: first by So the comrades have a sense of humour appointments were approved by the cabinet especially after meeting COAS Katuwal Nepali incompetence and then by the gods after all, and this is what makes Mahara the only a week before the comrades walked out before submitting his resignation? He did of rain. Home Minister Sitaula was so Ass’ favourite Maoist. of government. But with these play a significant behind-the-scenes role in spooked when he finally made it to FG plenipotentiaries all packed up and ready getting Deuba and Girija to shake hands. Kapilbastu that he decided to cancel the to go, who is going to tell them they can’t? Was the alluringly slimmed-down Arzu show without telling the prime minister. Our first ever secular Indra Jatra went off What’s to prevent Comrade Pampha and the prodding hubby boy with her umbrella not The Maoists had told Sitaula Ramdev may without a hitch, except that the chariot’s others staging a sit in and burning tyres to take up the Maoist offer to make him PM say one can’t attain nirvana if one is secular. axle broke, the diplomats were stuck at outside the party HQ at Buddhanagar? if he refused to unite with the NC? Anyway, The guru’s disciples swung into action Gaddi Baithak for two hours, the PM The Maoist ambassadorial candidates Girija’s declaration of the FDR of Nepal was using source and force to get the Tundikhel (playing king) couldn’t throw coins at the are not just compromise candidates for the too much for Bhattaraibaje, so he quit in mass breathing exercises reinstated. Kumari because he kept disappearing from seven parties, but also represent a disgust. Compromise was reached, so Sitaula, the balcony to rest, and police had to baton compromise within the party’s hardline FG Shekhar and Poudel all trooped off to expel charge royalists showing black flags and dissidents who have now pushed Awesome polluted air from their lungs with explosive mistakenly took dancers from the Bhairab and Laldhoj into a minority. While the The YCL asks the CDO for pumps from their diaphragms. But the guy Nach group into custody. Ironically, when leadership is passing the buck to the police protection when it who needed it the most, The Fearsome One, Kingji attended the function last year it Finance Minister, saying it hasn’t got travels to the eastern tarai didn’t go. Pity. Hope he was watching it all was the Maoists with the black flags. money for the cantonments, the Cloudy these days. on live tv. Throughout all this, the little Kumari One reportedly accused Awesome of giving But Mahara did make it. Flanked by herself looked rather bemused. With such each guerrilla in the camps only Rs 500 of [email protected] ISSN 1814-2613 CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 04/058/59